Archive - Dec 2011 - News Article

December 11th

December 11, 2011

(The Spirit is pleased to share with our readers vignettes of life in the 19th century as originally reported in past issues of the newspapers. These reproduced stories include their original headlines and spelling.)

Local Intelligence
(April 22, 1896)

A strange bicycle rider ran into Morris Weber, little son of J. A. Weber, yesterday, and hurt him considereably, though not dangerously. His head and face were badly cut and bruised, and the boy looked as though he had attended a Donnebrook fair.

December 9th

December 10, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY â At some point in 2011, a child saved his or her birthday money.

A group of teachers pitched in a couple of bucks to wear jeans to school on a Friday.

Spare change from the grocery store wound up in a special savings place, where it would eventually find its way to a greater good.

A high school senior dedicated his or her senior project to the cause.
And this coming week is when those who saved money, pitched in a few bucks, stashed some change and performed fund-raisers realize that it was all worth it to light up a childâs life.

December 10, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY â Members of the Punxsutawney Fire Department will have their boots in hand from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this weekend at major intersections throughout town, collecting donations for area food banks.
Boot drive locations are in front of the Lindsey Fire Hall, West Mahoning; Central Fire Hall, East Mahoning, Hampton Avenue and Front Street intersection; and Elk Run Fire Company; at the intersection of Elk Run and Graffius avenues.

December 10, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY â This Groundhog Day, the Inner Circle members wonât be the only ones dressed to the nines.

Years after a non-Groundhog Day related charity ball had run its course, the Inner Circle will host the first-ever Groundhog Ball, scheduled from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 â just days before Groundhog Day â at the Punxsutawney Country Club (See the accompanying box for more).

The evening will include hors dâoeuvres, a cash bar, music by Rudy & The Professionals and, of course, an appearance by Punxsutawney Phil.

December 8th

December 8, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY â Just as the weather is beginning to turn frightful comes the news that PennDOT District 10 Jefferson County Maintenance is ready for Mother Natureâs worst, with salt and anti-skid and snow plows.

The annual PennDOT plow inspection in last month went very well, said Paul Koza Jr., P.E., county maintenance manager.

Everything is ready to go, except for a few trucks that are receiving routine maintenance, Koza said.

All trucks are stationed at the county stockpile locations in Punxsutawney, Brookville, Emerickville, Brockway and Ringgold.

December 8, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY â
Itâs the battle of titans the world has awaited for more than 100 years, beginning this winter and ending this coming spring.

In this corner, Punxsutawney Phil; in the opposite corner, science.
But Punxsutawney Area Middle School students taking part in a program to track the growth of tulips in various parts of the world â and taking into consideration the onset of spring â believe their hometown hero will emerge victorious.

âThey think they will be right along with Philâ and his Feb. 2 prognostication, whatever it may be, said PAMS fifth-grade teacher Jeff Kuntz.

December 7th

December 8, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY â Itâs a chance to take a breather from shopping, to find some new ideas for holiday decorating, or a way to see how other local residents embrace and perpetuate their own Christmas traditions.

Thatâs what the annual Holly Tour is all about, and it runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at six different locations in the Punxsy area (see the accompanying box on Page 3).

The tour, which is at least 20 years old, was first established by the former Young Womenâs Club, of which Katie Laska, who owns Laskaâs Pizza and Caterinaâs Dolce Cucina, was a member.

December 6th

December 6, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY â Margiotti Bridge â and those who travel it â will again see maintenance by PennDOT crews this coming summer.

PennDOT District 10 has scheduled rehabilitation for the bridge during the upcoming summer driving season, said Borough Manager Ben White, during Tuesdayâs Public Works Committee meeting.

White said PennDOT has scheduled the bridge construction for next summer with a detour for northbound traffic to travel down Indiana Hill; southbound traffic reduced to one lane of the bridge; and pedestrian traffic being maintained.